High pomp as Dutch and Swedish royals open their parliaments

17 SEPTEMBER 2008Reserved for the most hallowed state occasions, the gilded coach is drawn by eight horses and accompanied by royal guards dressed in 19th-century military apparel.

Though the occasion marks the presentation of the government's policies, almost as talked about is the royal ladies' headgear - and the very fashionable lavender worn by Crown Princess Maxima, the wife of Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, attracted plenty of notice.

The pomp and circumstance was an opportunity for the royal clan to present a united front after Victoria this week defended her father against suggestions he was blocking a possible engagement with her boyfriend Daniel Westling.